Islip High School is proud to announce that four seniors have been honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their exceptional academic achievement. Seniors Jadyn Zink and Xiang (Will) Cheung have been named Commended Students. At the same time, Josh Alarcon and Connor Ancipink have been recognized as Semifinalists in the highly competitive 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

“I could not be prouder of our students," said Islip High School Principal Lara Gonzalez. "They are as humble and kind as they are brilliant!”

Students earned entry into the program by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT last October. In April, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation identified the 50,000 highest-scoring test-takers nationwide and notified their schools. From this group, approximately 16,000 students, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, were recently named semifinalists on a state-by-state basis.

Semifinalists now have the opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for nearly 6,930 National Merit Scholarships totaling close to $26 million, to be awarded in spring 2026. 

Commended Students, who rank among the top 34,000 high performers nationally, are recognized for their exceptional promise and academic excellence.

To become finalists, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that highlights their academic records, extracurricular involvement, leadership experience, and personal achievements. They must also submit an essay, earn confirming SAT or ACT scores, and receive a recommendation from a school official. Of the more than 16,000 semifinalists, about 95 percent are expected to advance to the finalist stage.

Scholarship winners will be selected based on accomplishments, abilities, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Awards include $2,500 National Merit Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships.

"I’m so honored to work with our students," said Islip High School Assistant Principal Lisa Ward. "They deserve this recognition. The importance of taking the PSAT/NMSQT is evident through their accomplishments.”

Islip High School congratulates these outstanding students and celebrates their continued dedication to excellence.